The functional and psychosocial impact of fecal incontinence on women with urinary incontinence

Objectives: The study was undertaken to determine the impact of fecal incontinence (FI) on functional status and quality of life in women with urinary incontinence (UI). Study Design: In 24 months 732 women completed a standardized assessment and questionnaire, including the Short Form (SF)-12 and Incontinence Quality of Life (I-QOL) scores. Analysis of variance was used to compare SF-12 scores between groups defined as having UI, FI, or both UI and FI. I-QOL scores in patients with UI or UI and FI were compared by using the Student t test. Results: Of the 732 patients enrolled, 425 patients had either UI (n = 342, 80%), FI (n = 18, 4%), or both (n = 65, 15%). Greater impairment in physical functioning was seen in the group with UI and FI (38.6; P = .027) compared with the group with UI (42.4). Significant decreases in I-QOL scores were seen for the group with UI and FI compared with those with UI (P< .005). Conclusion: Fecal incontinence further reduces the functional status and quality of life of women with urinary incontinence. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2003;189:127-9.)